Chief of Engineering

Columbus Water Works•Columbus, GA

20d

About The Position

Columbus Water Works (CWW) is seeking an experienced, Georgia-licensed Professional Engineer to serve as Chief of Engineering. This senior leadership position is responsible for directing the Engineering Division and providing strategic leadership in the planning, delivery, and stewardship of the City’s water and wastewater infrastructure. The role is integral to supporting the City’s economic development by ensuring reliable, sustainable infrastructure that promotes business growth, attracts investment, and meets the long-term needs of the community. The Chief of Engineering provides both strategic and technical leadership to a highly skilled team of engineers and operations support staff, while overseeing capital program delivery and holding Delegated Authority with the Georgia Environmental Protection Division (EPD). This position is accountable for contract administration, construction management, and in-house design services for critical water and wastewater facilities and infrastructure. With oversight of a comprehensive capital and in-house engineering program of approximately $7 million annually, the Chief plays a key role in near- and mid-term planning, system expansion and rehabilitation, regulatory compliance, and continuous improvement initiatives. Project responsibilities include water distribution and wastewater collection systems, treatment facilities, rehabilitation programs, utility relocations, capacity analyses, and hydraulic modeling. At CWW, engineering excellence is rooted in collaboration, trust, and a shared commitment to public service. This role offers the opportunity to lead within a team-oriented organization that values mentorship, professional development, and pride in serving the community.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in civil, Environmental, Mechanical Engineering, or related discipline from an accredited university
Georgia Professional Engineer (PE) license required
Minimum 5+ years of progressive engineering experience, with increasing leadership responsibility (senior-level experience strongly preferred)
Ability to obtain Georgia Soil and Water Conservation Commission (GSWCC) Erosion and Sediment Control certification within six (6) months
Deep knowledge of civil engineering principles as applied to water and wastewater utilities
Proven ability to analyze complex technical, regulatory, and operational challenges and deliver sound, practical solutions
Strong written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to translate complex technical concepts for non-technical audiences
Demonstrated ability to represent the organization professionally with regulators, elected officials, contractors, consultants, developers, and the public
Commitment to CWW’s Purpose, Vision, and Values, and the ability to model leadership behaviors that foster trust, accountability, and collaboration

Responsibilities

Serve as the organization’s engineering authority for EPD permitting, compliance, and regulatory coordination
Resolve complex permit submissions and regulatory compliance matters
Respond to advanced technical requests requiring professional engineering judgment and approval
Provide oversight of public water and sewer infrastructure installations by the development community (approx. $5M annually)
Lead and manage in-house engineering design projects (approx. $2M in annual construction value)
Direct system expansions for water distribution and wastewater collection systems across multiple service areas
Manage engineering aspects of contract modifications related to the Fort Benning contract
Proactively identify current and future operational and infrastructure needs for CWW Engineering
Serve as a key contributor to short- and medium-term engineering and capital planning
Participate actively in monthly and annual planning processes
Develop and implement process improvements, quality management practices, and engineering standards
Monitor effectiveness of implemented improvements and adjust as needed
Lead, mentor, and develop engineering staff, with a strong focus on professional growth, licensure progression, and career development
Build a high-performance, customer-focused team culture grounded in respect, accountability, and collaboration
Promote a positive employee experience through clear expectations, coaching, feedback, and training
Foster a workplace environment where employees feel supported, valued, and connected—a true CWW family
Collaborate across departments within CWW to align engineering objectives with organizational goals
Build strong relationships with community leaders, consultants, contractors, vendors, developers, and customers
Enhance public trust and recognition through professionalism, transparency, and responsiveness
Present technical and strategic information to executive leadership and the Board of Directors as needed
Ensure all safety policies and regulations are followed by staff and management
May assume oversight responsibilities for additional departments as delegated
Perform other duties as assigned